Help keep holiday grease out of the sewer system. Pouring cooking grease down the drain is the number one cause of sewage spills because it can clog your sewer line and damage the District’s sewer system and wastewater pumping stations.   With all of the extra cooking that comes with the holidays, we usually see an increase in the number problems within the sewer system. As you prepare those turkeys, hams and roasts, here are a few tips to keep excess holiday cooking grease out of the pipes:   *Never pour grease down the drain, toilet or garbage disposal *Pour cooking grease into a can and refrigerate or freeze until solid, then dispose of it in a trash can *Always wipe excess grease from pots, pans, dishes and utensils with a paper towel before washing   These simple steps will help ... 11/22/2011

  Fall is now officially in full swing and that means its time to adjust the way we use water. Most plants go dormant in fall and winter and require far less water than in spring and summer when they are active. So even as warm weather continues, now is the time to save water and money by reducing your irrigation.   The months of October, November and December are when Southern California typically waste most water. That is because plants require roughly 70 percent less water during this period, but many mistake the seemingly summertime weather as a call to continue their summertime watering schedules. Over watering is common in fall not just because of the warm weather, but also because many plants will look wilted or brown as they enter their dormancy. But beware; dormant plants shoul... 11/19/2011

  Many people, especially Americans have a fine and rather gray line between what they consider to be work in the office and time spent at home. Now-a-days so many people are using their home phones, computers and many other things interchangeably for both their personal and office lives. One of the biggest problems is many individuals work out of the home. They are constantly trying to switch between when the work day is done and when it is time to relax for a few hours before bedtime. Here are some steps you can take, especially if you are one of those individuals who have their office and home in the same location! 1) Draw a line between work and play on your computer. If you can afford it, purchase and use a different computer for work than for the family. When the family computer ... 11/18/2011

Fall has arrived and the holidays are approaching quickly. Throughout all the credit card usage, gifts, internet shopping and vacations, many people become susceptible to being victims of crime. Taking preventing measures will help lead you through the holiday season without jeopardizing your home and financial security.   Shopping will increase within the next few months as we prepare for gifts, dinner and festivities. Many people try and do all of their shopping in one day, and may spend hours in the same location. Please remember to always lock your vehicle and never leave any items in plain sight. If you will be doing a lot of shopping in one day, keep all of your bags with you until you are ready to drive home. Vehicle burglaries occur during this season because many people return... 11/17/2011

  Did you know there is a California-Friendly Plant of the month? Well there is and this month it is the Purple Fountain Grass. Purple fountain grass is a great way to add some colorful fun to your California-Friendly garden this fall season. This popular perennial resembles a bronzed fox tail and grows great in both pots and in gardens. It requires full sun and a little water to get started, and then thrives in dry soil or gravel beads.   Purple fountain grass is often preferred over other fountain grass varieties because it doesn’t drop seeds, which makes it easier to prune and shape into groupings. Purple fountain grass will flourish through the fall, but will go dormant during the winter and spring months, only to reappear just in time to show off for the next summer.   Fast Facts:... 11/16/2011

  TODAY is America Recycles Day!! American Recycles Day is the ONLY nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling programs in the United Sates. Michael Caruso is Celebrating, are you?!   To celebrate America Recycles Day, CR&R Environmental Services together with the Cities of San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, & Laguna Hills will distribute 30lb bags of processed green waste (compost) to their valued costumers. It's their way of thanking the community for supporting recycling programs in our communities.   Due to the high demand and limited supply, we want to assure that each person who waits in line receives at least two bags of compost so please remember that we will distribute only 2 bags per a perso... 11/15/2011

"We can't fly till we let go of the dirt." 11/15/2011

Holy Guacamole!! November 14 is National Guacamole Day.   So I will splurge with some chips and salsa... Viva the Avocado!! Fun Food For Thought: Fallbrook, California is the Avocado Capital of the World.  More avocados are grown here than any other place in the U.S. Avocados are members of the Laurel family which also includes the bay laurel and cinnamon tree.    About 50 million pounds of avocados are consumed in the U.S. on Super Bowl Sunday. According to Eating Well magazine, that is enough to cover an entire football field to a depth of nearly 12 feet.    There are 80 varieties of avocados and each have a unique flavor and texture. The most common type of avocado is Hass and dominating the crop share. 11/14/2011

  Laguna Niguel is a well-recognzied South Orange County city, with fine residential communities built after 1980, and has about 62,000 residents. Laguna Niguel has some of the most interesting single level homes and buyer opportunities at Orange County CA real estate.          Vista del Niguel single level home at Laguna Niguel - $1,280,900 - 4 bedrooms and 4 baths - MLS# S675245 - IDX link              Click here to see active link to all Laguna Niguel single level homes now listed.          Tesoro single level home at Laguna Niguel - $925,000 - 4 bedrooms and 2 baths - MLS# U11002941 - IDX link         Click here for link to more than 40 Laguna Niguel single level homes.           La Veta single level home at Laguna Niguel - $675,000 - 4 bedrooms and 3 baths - MLS# S677676 - IDX lin... 11/12/2011

  WELCOME TO LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA HOMES SOLD IN LAGUNA NIGUEL: 65 DAYS ON MARKET: 113 Monthly Activity Report: 10-2011   Property Type: Residential   City New Avg LP Under Contract Avg LP Sold Avg SP %SP/LP %SP/OLP Avg DOM LN 97 $646,230 21 $487,652 65 $585,867 95.56% 86.48% 113   97 $646,230 21 $487,652 65 $585,867 95.56% 86.48% 113 11/12/2011

It’s raining here today in the OC, so I thought today would be the perfect day to talk about rain related issues! Many rain-related claims are due to crashes; typically, the vehicle’s condition and driver behavior are contributing factors. Preparing your vehicle and yourself are the best ways to stay safe on the road during the rainy months.   Check your wiper blades. Worm wiper blades can compromise your ability to see the road clearly. Wiper blades usually work effectively for a year at most & sometimes even less. Excessive heat and exposure to the sun’s rays can cause them to crack, tear & harden. If the blades chatter or leave streaks as they move across your windshield, it’s time to get a new set. While you’re checking the blades, fill your windshield washer reservoir and check to... 11/12/2011

Happy Saturday Active Rain! I Hope Today brings you much Happiness & Success! Try & take at least a minute today to reflect on what you're thankful for. Today I am thankful for my family & our beautiful earth we live on. Now let's get out there and be the best that we can be!! "Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can." ~ Willis Whitney 11/12/2011

Luxury Home for Lease Laguna Niguel Monarch Point Stunning Monarch Point custom home that has endless upgrades.  Includes amazing panoramic ocean views which include views of Signal Hill to the north and Coronado to the south.       Elegant pool with water fall and spa truly an entertainers dream with outside built-in BBQ and heater lamps that surround the patio for your comfort.  Large chef's kitchen with viking appliances, triple bull-nose granite counter tops and walk-in pantry.  Breathtaking master suite with granite fireplace and sitting area.   Master bath features jetted tub and double shower with 11 shower-heads!  All bedrooms have private bathrooms and walk in closet.  Travertine floors throughout the home with beautiful carpet in bedrooms.  Downstairs also features large enter... 11/12/2011

  11-11-11. Its here. The day that everyone around the world has been talking about since the year became 2011. But what does it actually mean? And what's in store for us? I did some investigating and uncovered some interesting facts relating to 11-11-11.   11/11/11: Veterans Day World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all war... 11/11/2011

11/11/2011

Do you drink bottled water? I bet at least half of you are chugging one right now or have one sitting on your desk. Ladies and Gentlemen, I think we have been ripped off. The bottled water market in America is worth over $10 Billion!   Have you ever had Evian water? Spell it backwards. N-A-I-V-E.   Our obsession with buying high priced water in a bottle is contributing to global warming. The energy that goes into making a bottle of water is astounding. To produce 31.2 billion liters of water for America’s bottled water market took approximately 17.6 million barrels of oil!   Additionally, our landfills are overflowing with plastic waste. Bottled water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year, and not even 20% of bottles actually get recycled!   Most bottled water is ex... 11/10/2011

  Michael Caruso, past President of the Orange County Association of Realtors recently met with the current leadership team and special guest Congressman John Campbell. Congressman Campbell works vigorously in Washington D.C. on behalf of small business owners everywhere. Michael Caruso and the current leadership support him enthusiastically!   11/09/2011

11/09/2011

I remember when… My parents collected collected both stamps. Blue Chip and S & H Green stamps. I remember helping my mom lick the stamps and paste them into the album. It was so exciting to finally fill up the album and go to the store and redeem them for products. I was amazed at all the cool things she could get! The stamp program was an early marketing tool that, encouraged customers to visit the stores offering the stamps. Primarily supermarkets, gasoline stations, pharmacies and other local shops, distributed them. It was similar to our rewards programs or discount cards we have today, but way more fun.   In bad economical times, we should be bringing back more of these rewards programs. Did you know? Consumers holding S&H individual stamps and full books can still redeem them for ... 11/08/2011

So true….LOL! 11/06/2011